Canadian visits to Spain rose to 457,000 in 2024–2025 as Alicante-Elche Airport handled a record 19.9 million passengers
ALICANTE, Spain – November 3, 2026 – Canadians made 457,000 visits to Spain in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, according to the Annual Consular Data Report from Global Affairs Canada. The figure places Spain 10th among international destinations for Canadian travelers. Park-King Alicante, a vehicle management operator at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, said longer seasonal stays are changing how travelers use long-term airport parking.
The report draws on Statistics Canada’s National Travel Survey. It shows Spanish visits rising from 430,000 in the 2023–2024 fiscal year, about 6% growth in a single year.
The increase comes as traffic at Alicante-Elche reaches record levels. Aena’s 2025 traffic statistics show the airport handled 19,950,394 passengers in 2025, up 8.5% from 2024. It grew faster than any other major airport in Spain except Valencia. Between January and August 2026 the airport handled 14,739,523 passengers, including a record 2,337,378 in August. August traffic was 11.4% higher than a year earlier.
Under Schengen Area rules, Canadian citizens may stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Travelers who use most of that allowance often leave a vehicle at or near the airport for the whole stay. That puts different demands on parking operators than short holiday trips do.
“The change we see is in duration, not just volume,” said Carlos Mendoza, Operational Analyst at Park-King Alicante. “A car that used to be parked for one week is now parked for six or eight. That affects how much space an operator needs in peak season and how vehicle handovers are scheduled, and it moves more of the demand to off-site storage away from the terminal.”
Operators serving travelers bound for Alicante, Benidorm, Altea and Torrevieja have responded with more pre-booked parking options at Alicante Airport, longer storage terms and scheduled terminal transfers. When cars are booked in advance, operators can plan capacity around known return dates. That reduces congestion at terminal drop-off areas in peak months.
Travelers planning extended stays in Spain are advised to confirm their remaining Schengen allowance before departure. They should also review storage terms, including vehicle inspection and handover procedures, before arranging long-term parking.
About Park-King Alicante
Park-King Alicante provides vehicle management services at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, including meet-and-greet vehicle handover, valet service and long-term vehicle storage for international travelers and seasonal residents on the Costa Blanca. More information is available on the Park-King Alicante website.
Media Contact
Carlos Mendoza
Operational Analyst, Park-King Alicante
Email: info@aeropuertoalicanteparking.com
Website: https://park-king.es/
Add: Cami Del Gallinero Polígono 137, Parcela, 5, 03320 Torre del Pla, Alicante
